What is the legal definition of defamation?

The legal definition of defamation is a false statement that injures a person's reputation. This definition captures the essential elements of defamation, which require that the statement in question is both untrue and has a damaging effect on the individual’s reputation. In legal terms, for a statement to be considered defamatory, it must be published to a third party and must be detrimental to the personal or professional standing of the subject.

In contrast to this correct definition, other options do not fully encompass what constitutes defamation. Understanding this definition is key for recognizing the distinction between defamatory statements and other forms of speech or expression. For instance, an exaggeration that causes minor harm might not meet the legal threshold for defamation, as it may not fulfill the requirement of significantly injuring someone's reputation. Similarly, a true statement cannot be considered defamation, regardless of the context or the feelings it may engender, such as hostility. Lastly, a false statement causing economic loss may overlap with defamation in some cases, but it lacks the necessary component of damaging personal reputation that solidifies the legal definition of defamation.